The Wedding Gift: A Novel by Marlen Suyapa Bodden. St. Martin's Press, 2013. Adult Fiction.Sarah Campbell, her mother, and her sister are slaves on the plantation of Allen Hall and property of Cornelius Allen. Sarah, the daughter of the master, is raised as the slave of his young daughter, Clarissa, and given to her as a wedding gift. This means Sarah will travel to the Cromwell plantation and give up life as she knows it.
Told in alternating voices of Sarah and Theodora Allen, the mistress of the plantation and Clarissa's mother, Sarah's story is intriguing with its insights into her family's past, present, and future. Benton County, Alabama in the early to mid 1800's is not easy for women of either color, but when Theodora teaches her daughter to read, she allows Sarah to be in the room. Smart little Sarah learns, too, and her ability changes her life in unplanned ways. Clarissa, the child of great privilege, is not the classic Southern belle and her own life is reflected in her choices.
These complex characters give voice to a rather unconventional plot and will not disappoint readers. It is the first novel by this author.
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